Reliable DJ headphones are an essential part of every DJ’s gear.
Whether you want to enter the world of professional DJing or simply play some music at your friend’s party, getting a good pair of cans is a must.
DJ headphones will help you cue your tracks and monitor your mixes, and they will ultimately bring your DJ sessions to the next level.
That said, check out our list of the best DJ headphones in the market right now and opt for a pair that suits you best.
1. Sennheiser HD 25 – Best DJ headphones
If you’re looking for reliable DJ headphones, you can’t go wrong with Sennheiser HD 25.
These popular headphones are designed specifically for DJs, and that’s why they’re perfect for monitoring.
They provide high levels of attenuation over external noise and high sensitivity due to lightweight aluminum voice coils.
Moreover, they can handle extreme volumes with ease, so they work well in loud environments, such as sound reinforcement, studio monitoring, and audio equipment testing.
And thanks to their rotatable capsule for single-ear listening and low weight, they’re ideal cans for mobile monitoring.
All in all, if you need closed-back DJ headphones that won’t let you down, you can rely on the HD 25.
2. Pioneer DJ HDJ Cue1 – Best affordable DJ headphones
Pioneer DJ HDJ Cue1 is a popular and budget-friendly pair of cans for mixing.
Nevertheless, they have plenty to offer – they come with detachable cables and customizable ear pads, and
Plus, they look more professional than their price – they indeed look quite stylish.
More importantly, they have excellent sound, with specialist sound tuning inherited from the pro-level HDJ-X5.
The HDJ Cue1 will allow you to hear low frequencies in the bass and kick drums which ultimately makes the whole mixing process easier and more precise.
Moreover, they have low weight, foldable bodies, and detachable cables, so they’re very convenient and flexible as well.
All in all, Pioneer DJ HDJ Cue1 is hands down one of the best affordable DJ headphones you can find.
3. Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX – Best for comfort
Another Pioneer DJ headphones we recommend is this beautiful wired pair of cans.
They have a rather classic design, but they look fresh and modern too.
Not to mention the quality and convenience – they are lightweight and a bit robust, which makes them an ideal choice for shifting them on and off the ear.
They are also lightweight and ergonomically designed to minimize any strain on the head, neck, or shoulder.
Therefore, they’re extremely comfortable so you can wear them for a longer period of time.
On top of that, they have replaceable elements, which ultimately makes them more durable than many other options on this list.
4. Audio Technica ATH-M50x – Best for live performances
When it comes to the best DJ headphones for live use, it doesn’t get much better than Audio Technica ATH-M50x.
These popular DJing cans have an over-ear design and swappable cables, which is a handy feature.
And they offer great isolation from external noise, which is another important feature of headphones for live shows.
However, the sound is not so perfect here.
But they are reasonably priced, so you won’t have to spend a fortune – they have a reputation for being one of the best mid-range headphones in the market.
And if you’re searching for good DJ headphones for live use, they will certainly meet your needs.
5. Technics RPDJ1210 – Best for durability
Comfort is probably one of the most important things that people look for in headphones.
And they should look nice as well – classic design with a modern touch, for instance…
But when it comes to DJing, robustness and durability are sometimes more important.
If the durability of DJ headphones is your priority, you should also check out Audio Technica ATH-M50x.
These ear-on headphones for DJing are ideal for DJs who travel and perform a lot.
Due to their robust design, they will last you a long time, even if you overuse them.
That said, although they don’t look very fancy, they won’t disappoint you, especially if you intend to use them on the road a lot.
Besides, they have some features designed with professional DJs in mind, you can be sure they will do the job – and they’ll do it exceptionally well.
6. Sony MDR-7506 – Best professional DJ headphones
Sony MDR-7506 is a top choice for professional DJs as well as aspiring DJs who want to delve into the DJ realm more seriously.
This professional pair of headphones provide excellent sound quality when mixing, recording, and DJing.
Thanks to their secure, highly effective closed-ear design and rugged construction, they’re ideal for different applications, including DJing and live performances.
They come with a protective carry pouch, and they’re extremely comfortable, even if you wear them for a longer period of time.
On top of that, they’re foldable, so they’re quite convenient to carry around too.
All in all, when it comes to professional large diaphragm headphones designed for professional purposes, the MDR-7506 is a safe choice.
7. AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ – Best customizable DJ headphones
At first glance, the AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ headphones look amazing – modern, light, and practical.
But one of the best things about these ear-on headphones is their customization.
Although they’re wired, they can be customized to be used as wireless headphones, which is a feature that some DJs prefer.
Plus, you can design your own setup – you can customize almost everything with the AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ, from headband and cable to types of drivers.
These fresh-looking Scandinavian headphones are a bit expensive though.
But if you’re willing to invest in high-end DJ headphones that can be used in a number of ways, this is a great choice.
8. Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10 – Best DJ headphones with a wide frequency response
We’ve already talked about Pioneer DJ headphones and their excellent built quality and quality of sound.
But we can’t skip the DJ HDJ-X10.
These closed-back DJ cans have a solid construction, and they look quite bulky.
But one of their biggest advantages is their wide frequency response.
Pioneer claims the DJ HDJ-X10 has the widest frequency range in any DJ-specific headphones.
That’s high praise for sure, and it comes as no surprise that they’re one of the most popular closed-back DJ headphones out there.
After all, we’re talking about Pioneer, one of the most reputable audio equipment manufacturers.
9. Numark HF175 – Best DJ headphones for beginners
This is another great choice for anyone looking for reliable on-ear DJ headphones.
Numark HF175 headphones offer a perfect blend of unique design, comfort, excellent performance, and durability.
That said, they’re ideal for dynamic DJ sets and clubs.
They provide a punchy sound, with a strong focus on the bass.
Thanks to their good price, they’re popular among beginners, so it’s fair to say that they are one of the best entry-level DJ headphones in the market.
It all comes down to your preferences though – if you like how they look and you plan to use them for DJing rather than studio monitoring, you should put Numark HF175 on the shortlist.
10. Korg NC-Q1
Korg is another popular brand in the audio equipment world.
The company is known for manufacturing quality recording gear and electronic tuners.
And Korg’s NC-Q1 headphones are probably the best noise-canceling DJ cans you can find.
Although this is the company’s first entry into the DJ headphone market, they are well-built and reliable, and they provide top-quality sound.
And one of their best features is the Smart Monitoring feature designed to allow DJs de-activate noise canceling for one or both ears with a tap of a button.
With this handy feature, DJs can monitor without the need to take off and put on their headphones all the time.
All in all, Korg’s NC-Q1 headphones are regarded as one of the best headphones for DJing for a good reason.
How to Pick the Right DJ Headphones
With so many great options out there, choosing DJ headphones might be a bit daunting.
But if you know what you’re looking for, everything will be easier.
You should research the best DJ headphones in the market and narrow down your search by considering the following factors:
- Your budget
- Your priorities
- Type of headphones you need
Generally, one of the most important things about DJ headphones is the ability to translate your mixes in the most accurate way.
On the other hand, if you need headphones for music listening, you probably won’t mind that your headphones will improve the sound or boost the bass.
And that’s precisely why you need headphones designed for DJs if you want to dive deeper into the world of professional DJing.
Another important thing you should look for in DJ headphones is durability.
It’s good to find durable, strong DJ headphones that will last you for a long time, especially if you spend a lot of money on them.
But durability also means that they have good construction and that they will survive all types of environments and DJing moments.
Wired vs wireless DJ headphones
There are a couple of wireless DJ headphones on our list – so what’s the difference, and what is a better option for DJs?
Wireless headphones offer more mobility, but wireless connections also cause latency, so they’re not recommended for mixing.
If you want to produce good music, you should definitely avoid the possibility of the delay between the sound playing on your computer and you hearing it.
And the same goes for timing and its importance for beatmatching.
Plus, wired headphones tend to provide better sound quality than their wireless counterparts.
On the other hand, wireless headphones can be quite convenient, and Bluetooth technology has evolved a lot over the years.
But if you plan to use them for DJing, you won’t be moving that much anyway.
So at the end of the day, wireless headphones don’t come with many benefits for DJs, but there’s no reason you shouldn’t get them if they seem like a good choice for you.
Best DJ Headphones – Final Thoughts
We hope our list of the best DJ headphones helped you find a perfect pair of cans for your DJing endeavors.
Good DJ headphones will bring your DJ sessions to the next level – as long as they’re comfortable, reliable, and well-built.
And you really can’t go wrong with the headphones we reviewed today.
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